A Canadian Visa Invitation Letter is a formal document written by a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or other authorized person residing in Canada to invite a foreign national to visit Canada. The letter is submitted as a supporting document with the visa application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provides the visa officer with detailed information about the host, the guest, the purpose and duration of the visit, accommodation arrangements, financial responsibility, and the guest's ties to their home country. While not a mandatory document, IRCC strongly recommends including an invitation letter as it significantly strengthens the visa application.

The legal framework governing immigration to Canada is established by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA, S.C. 2001, c. 27) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227). These statutes set out the requirements for Temporary Resident Visas (visitor visas), which are the most common visa type supported by invitation letters. IRCC also administers the Super Visa program for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, which has specific requirements including a signed invitation letter from the Canadian host, proof of meeting the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) income threshold, and proof of private Canadian medical insurance with minimum coverage of CAD $100,000 for at least one year.

The invitation letter plays a crucial role in helping the visa officer assess whether the applicant meets the requirements of section 179 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which provides that a visa officer must be satisfied that the applicant will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay, has sufficient financial resources for the visit, and will not work or study without authorization. A well-crafted invitation letter that provides comprehensive information about the host, the purpose of the visit, and the guest's ties to their home country directly addresses these assessment criteria and demonstrates that the visit is genuine and temporary.

A Canadian Visa Invitation Letter is needed whenever a person in Canada wishes to support a foreign national's application for a Canadian visa. The most common scenario involves family visits, where a Canadian citizen or permanent resident invites a parent, sibling, cousin, or other family member to visit Canada for occasions such as weddings, births, graduations, family reunions, or simply to maintain family connections. Family visit applications are among the most frequent Temporary Resident Visa applications processed by IRCC, and an invitation letter from the Canadian family member is one of the most important supporting documents.

Super Visa applications for parents and grandparents specifically require a signed invitation letter from the Canadian child or grandchild. The Super Visa, introduced in 2011 and enhanced in 2022, allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit on a multi-entry visa valid for up to ten years. The invitation letter for a Super Visa must be accompanied by proof that the host meets the minimum necessary income requirement based on family size, calculated using the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus one for each family member being sponsored. Medical insurance documentation is also required.

Business visitor applications benefit from invitation letters when a Canadian company or individual invites a foreign business associate to attend meetings, conferences, trade shows, or business negotiations in Canada. Tourism visits, medical tourism, attendance at cultural or sporting events, and academic visits also frequently involve invitation letters. In each case, the invitation letter should be tailored to the specific purpose of the visit and provide information relevant to the visa officer's assessment of whether the applicant is a genuine visitor who will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.

The invitation letter is also valuable in cases where the visa applicant has limited travel history, limited financial resources, or comes from a country with high rates of visa refusal. In these situations, a strong invitation letter from a well-established Canadian host can help demonstrate the legitimacy of the visit and the applicant's intent to return home.

An effective Canadian Visa Invitation Letter must contain comprehensive information organized in a clear, professional format that facilitates the visa officer's review. The host information section must include the host's full legal name, date of birth, Canadian citizenship or immigration status (citizen, permanent resident, work permit holder, or study permit holder), current occupation and employer, complete residential address including province and postal code, telephone number, and email address. A copy of the host's Canadian identification (passport, citizenship card, or permanent resident card) should accompany the letter.

The guest information must match the passport exactly, including full name, date of birth, passport number, nationality, home country address, and current occupation. Any discrepancy between the invitation letter and the passport can raise concerns with the visa officer. The relationship between the host and guest must be clearly described, including how long they have known each other and the nature of their connection. Supporting evidence of the relationship, such as photographs, communication records, or previous travel together, can strengthen the application.

The visit details must specify the visa type being sought, the purpose of the visit (tourism, family visit, business, conference, medical treatment, graduation, or wedding), expected arrival and departure dates, accommodation arrangements, and a general itinerary of planned activities. The financial responsibility section must clearly state who will bear the expenses of the visit and provide supporting financial documentation in Canadian dollars, including bank statements, CRA Notice of Assessment, employment letter, and proof of accommodation.

For Super Visa applications, the letter must include proof that the host's household income meets the LICO threshold and confirmation that private Canadian medical insurance with minimum coverage of CAD $100,000 has been or will be purchased. Including a section on the guest's ties to their home country (employment, property, family, education) directly addresses IRCC's concern about whether the applicant will return home. The letter must be signed and dated, and include a declaration that the information is true and correct, referencing the consequences of providing false information under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA, S.C. 2001, c. 27).